Poster contest marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Love is “being sweet…liking me even when we disagree…being nice…being special.”

That’s how 6-year-olds Anthony and Aiden and 3-year-olds Aubrey, A.J. and Harry defined love during a recent Valentine’s-themed craft and storytelling session at Conshohocken Free Library.

On the other hand, love isn’t punching and kicking, name-calling, humiliating, playing mind games or making sexual advances after being told “no” – a message that comes across loud and clear on posters created by Montgomery County high school students to mark February’s National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month observance.

The teens’ dramatic visuals were entries in a yearly competition held by Norristown-based Laurel House, which also sponsors a 24-hour hotline and shelter, transitional housing, medical and legal advocacy, community counseling and support groups, children’s programs, law enforcement support and numerous community education and prevention efforts.

The top winners in this year’s Laurel House poster contest attend a variety of county high schools and were recognized at a Feb. 4 “unveiling ceremony” at Upper Merion Township Building in King of Prussia. They include:

Justine Morgan, Kyle Rasmussen and Tovah Kaiser, all from Upper Dublin High School, first, second and third place, respectively, in the drawing/painting category; Theresa Miller, Methacton High School, Kasey Lynn Fitzpatrick, North Montco Career Center, and Ashley Williams, Souderton High School, first, second and third place, respectively, in the graphic arts category.

This year’s Executive Director’s Award winners are Sara Klein, Upper Dublin High School, and Kaitlyn Lichtley, Pottstown High School, in the drawing/painting category; Olivia Malone, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Tara Shachter, Perkiomen Valley High School, and Jessica May Rita Kohut, North Penn High School, in the graphic arts category.

In his proclamation declaring February National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, President Barack Obama cited estimates “that one in 10 teens will be hurt intentionally by someone they are dating” this year.

“While this type of abuse cuts across lines of age and gender, young women are disproportionately affected by both dating violence and sexual assault,” the President continues.

“This month, we stand with those who have known the pain and isolation of an abusive relationship, and we recommit to ending the cycle of violence that affects too many of our sons and daughters.

“Whether physical or emotional, dating violence can leave scars that last a lifetime. Teens who suffer abuse at the hands of a partner are more likely to struggle in school, develop depression, or turn to drugs and alcohol. Victims are also at greater risk of experiencing the same patterns of violence later in life. These tragic realities tug at our conscience, and they call upon us to ensure survivors of abuse get the services and support they need.”

Over the years, PW art educator Candance Maggioncalda has had numerous students honored in Laurel House dating and domestic violence awareness competitions and has learned participation involves a lot more than creative expression.

“This contest is such a good way to educate students about these issues,” says Maggioncalda, who teaches Advanced Placement 2-D students.

“The thing is, when they’re designing a poster for this, they’re looking at websites that talk about (dating and domestic violence) and absorbing information that could be invaluable to them, personally…or put them in the position of helping someone else. And with all the other ways people have of (interacting) today – with things like text messaging and the various online (social media) sites – this is more important than ever.”

Maggioncalda gets no argument from Laurel House spokesman Tina Reynolds.

“And because so many of the students use their peers as images on their posters, they’re also talking to one another about issues related to domestic violence,” Reynolds adds. “They’re starting their own conversations about domestic violence…with people their own age, which is much more effective than listening to a lecture from somebody they don’t know.”

That said, Reynolds is “continually impressed by the students’ creative talents.”

“They all bring their own unique perspective to this, but one consistent thing we’ve seen over the years, including this year, is the students’ ability to take abstractions like verbal and emotional abuse and create graphics that so effectively convey those things.”

Fox 29 TV’s Jennaphr Frederick served as master of ceremonies for 2013’s “unveiling ceremony.” The students and their guests were also addressed by Montgomery County Sheriff Eileen Behr and Laurel House Executive Director Beth Sturman and Director of Community Education Tommie Wilkins.

Further information about teen dating violence is available at www.loveisrespect.org or by texting “loveis” to 77054.

The National Teen Help Line operates 24-7 at 1-866-331-9474. Additional resources are posted at www.CDC.gov/features/datingviolence.

Laurel House staffers and volunteers can be reached via 610-277-1860 or www.laurel-house.org. The agency’s 24-hour hotline is 1-800-642-3150.